Louise Crotts Gilbert, 102, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William L. Crotts and Hattie Mae Crotts; siblings, William “Bud” Crotts and wife Ellen, Harold Crotts, Richard Crotts, Doris Crotts and husband Edsel, and Bonnie Hartsel and husband Paul; husband, Leonard Thomas Gilbert; and son-in-law, David Richards.
Surviving are her sister, Clara Oliver; children, Thomas L. Gilbert and wife Tereasa, Janet Richards, Betty Damiano and husband Mark; grandchildren, Vanessa York and husband John, Amy Gilbert, Carmen “Nickie” Arndt and husband Jason, and Erin Edmondson and husband Adam; great-grandchildren, Katlyn Poff, Colton Dillon, Hannah Dillon, Hunter Dillon, Caroline Edmondson, Nickolas Edmondson, Carter York, and Cara York.
Louise grew up in Salem. Her father was a mechanic and her mother was a homemaker. After graduating from Andrew Lewis High School, she was employed with Western Electric in a job that was considered to be part of the war effort and after a while, she traveled to California to train new employees. She returned and continued her employment until she married in 1947.
Louise was a quiet and caring person who always said yes when asked to help. She was an avid reader and always had a book beside her chair. She was an expert seamstress and made beautiful clothes for her daughters. Louise loved vacationing at the beach when her grandkids were young for family beach week.
Louise was employed by the Kroger Company for over 20 years in the Accounting Department, was a lifetime member of the Fincastle Garden Club, and was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church since 1947 and served as Secretary/Treasurer for many years.
A Chapel Service will be held at Simpson Funeral Home (Peters Creek) on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a visitation held one hour prior. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, where Louise will be reunited with her husband, Leonard.
